Do you use singular or plural after “types of”
Would you say “two types of widget” or “two types of widgets”? In other words, should we use singular or plural after the phrase “types of”?
This is a real use case. In a code review this week, someone corrected my use of “types of widget”. People have varied and vociferous opinions. It’s intensely interesting, especially to technical writers.
Since I was a babe in arms, I’ve always used the singular:
“There are so many kinds of chocolate cookie! Which one shall I try next?”
“What are your favourite types of dog?”
To me this sequence just looks odd:
Pick one type of car.
Pick two types of cars.
Surely, if we can grant the English language a modicum of mathematical elegance 
this should be correct:
Pick one type of car.
Pick two types of car.
So, why does the singular sound better to me? I think it’s because, when used after “types of”, the noun is acting as a concept representing a class of things, rather than a specific instance of the thing.
What do you think? Bring on the debate!
A kookaburra near my house:
